I got pulled over this morning. First time ever. No lie - I'm 32 and I've never seen those lights go flishy-flash in the rear view. I knew I was busted the second he swung out behind me by the predatory nature of the grill on his car.
You'll notice by the blog title that I consider lying an integral part of my occupation - but that's the only place it comes into play. I find the taxing work of making shit up doesn't translate into real life. I am one of those honest people that you either love or want to punch in the face.
So my conversation this morning went like this:
Officer: Morning - do you know why I pulled you over?
Mindy: I was speeding.
Officer: You were doing 50 in a 35.
Mindy: Wow, that's really bad.
Officer: (blinks and pauses) That could be a high fine, you realize.
Mindy: I'd deserve it.
Officer: Any particular reason you're in a hurry today?
Mindy: Nope, I'm just driving too fast.
And he let me go. I'll add that he cited my flawless driving record and the fact that the limit had *just* changed as I was rolling into the town limits as the reason, but I think he appreciated my honesty, too. It's gotta be refreshing for our men and women in the cruisers when somebody says, "Yeah I screwed up," without the excuses and complaints.
So anyway - use our mutually shared gifts of spinning the stories for good, and keep those creative skills on the far side of the brain in the day-to-day. You never know when some old-fashioned honesty might benefit you.